Kuppanna Park to be first solar-powered park in city

8 kV solar power unit has been installed in the park

Kuppanna Park, one of the oldest parks in the Core Heritage Zone (CHZ) in Mysore, will soon become the city’s first park to make use of solar power for its lighting needs.

An 8 kV solar power unit has been installed in the park. The park will be inaugurated shortly, according to MCC authorities.

Cheluvamba park

Another park, Cheluvamba Park on K.R.S. Road will also harness solar energy as the MCC is calling a re-tender for setting up a solar power unit. Both Kuppanna and Cheluvamba parks were identified as pilot parks for generating solar energy under the ‘Solar City’ project. Mysore is one of the cities identified for development as solar cities by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

“All lighting needs of the parks will be met by solar energy. A sum of Rs. 21.5 lakh had been spent on establishing the solar power production unit and solar street lights. The Cheluvamba Park will also be developed on Kuppanna Park model,” said MCC Assistant Executive Engineer Ganesh Bovi.

He told The Hindu that tenders would be invited shortly for implementing solar lighting in the main office of MCC and its nine zonal offices. Solar panels would be installed on the terrace of MCC office besides the nine zonal offices.

MUDA office

In addition, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) is also keen to tap solar energy for lighting up its office, he added. He said 70 per cent of the cost for harnessing solar energy would have to be borne by the beneficiaries and the Ministry would give 30 per cent subsidy.

The Solar City project took off late here though it was announced about six years ago. It was launched to promote renewable energy in urban areas to reduce the demand for conventional energy by at least 10 per cent. through adoption of non-conventional energy.

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL) is lending technical support while the MCC is implementing the project. A KREDL officer, who requested anonymity, told The Hindu that Rs. 79 lakh had been released through KREDL from the MNRE for the Solar City project here.